14 Budget-Friendly Family Vacations You Can't Afford to Miss

Fiji

The island nation of Fiji is a sun and sand playground for all ages. There is plenty to keep children entertained here, with jungles, caves and waterfalls enticing you out for day trips.

Then there is the warm local culture; Fiji is a wonderful place to travel with kids because of the gentle and open nature of Fijian people. They have a great fondness for children and will happily invite them (and you) to join in various activities and games, allowing you to forge connections that will make your vacation unforgettable.

There are an abundance of resorts in Fiji, many of them tailored toward families. Kids’ clubs are common, as are child-friendly pools and play areas.

Resorts that welcome children usually also offer babysitting, so you can enjoy an evening out with your significant other, indulging in local restaurants and bars. To top everything off, Fiji is an affordable family vacation destination — you will be able to enjoy the lush Pacific Island paradise without breaking the bank.

There are tons of fun opportunities for physical activity in the Bozeman area.Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bozeman, MT

This Southern Montana city has much to offer the family traveler, and without the high price tag that comes with some of the more flashy resort cities in the Western U.S. If you are looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and spend time together as a family, Bozeman is where it’s at. Here, your kids will be able to run free and enjoy a variety of experiences in the mountains, all while everyone is soaking in the beautiful views on every side.

Your days will be full of hiking, camping, mountain biking, rafting and fly fishing in the mountains around Bozeman. You’ll be just 80 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, so you’ll likely want to spend at least a day or two exploring the park during your visit.

However, just because you are enjoying nature all day long doesn’t mean you’ll have to leave behind all creature comforts. As Bozeman’s popularity as a tourist destination has grown, more and more great hotels and restaurants have come to town. There are several hotels that have pools the kids will enjoy at the end of the day. Check out the Best Western, Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn or other big name chain hotels in Bozeman if a pool is important to your group.

The small country of Croatia offers white-walled and red-roofed towns line pebbly beaches, with warm weather and sunshine all-around. Photo Credit: iStockPhoto / letty17

Croatia

The length of the Croatian Coast inspires cheap family vacation ideas. White-walled and red-roofed towns line pebbly beaches, thrumming with a sunshine-fueled buzz. The warm weather and unique culture of Croatia make this an inviting destination for family holidays.

Croatia is a friendly country and easy to travel with the tribe. There is a great bus network and English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

It’s also a relatively small country, so it’s a good idea to base yourself in one spot and explore from there. Zadar is a great place to set up camp while you venture further afield. It’s slightly smaller and quieter than Dubrovnik or Split, but still has lots to keep you busy.

You can visit nearby islands, eat fresh cherries from the market or visit Plitvice National Park, a surreal locale and one of the best places to swim in Croatia. The kids will be enthralled with the Sea Organ and disco lights of the Sun Salutation that light up at sunset.

While you’re watching the sun go down, you might even get lucky and spot dolphins.

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Check your airline's prices for additional and overweight baggage. It is sometimes cheaper to take an extra bag than pay overage fees if your luggage is too heavy.

- Sarah R., Canada

Don’t eat in tourist areas or places that have a waiter outside to bring people in. Eat where the locals eat.

- Zainab L., United Kingdom

Never bring new shoes! Bring two pairs of shoes to allow you to rotate and avoid any discomfort to your feet.

- Mona W., Belize

Do your research; learn about where you’re going from those who have been there. You’ll learn lots more along the way.

- Laura S., United States

When you land in Geneva make sure to pick up your free transport ticket in the luggage collection area, from the machine. It gives you 80 minutes worth of travel from arrival, until you get to your hotel or accommodation.

- SOS Travel, United Kingdom

Always bring a reusable water bottle for each person. There's nothing worse than being on a hike or walking through a new city and finding yourself without water. If you're in a city most restaurants will refill your bottle free of charge!

- Natasha, Canada

Don’t be too rushed when you are traveling, especially with kids. Taking it slow helps you to experience everything going on around you and cuts down on the stress that comes from rushing from place to place. Don’t worry about missing out. Live in the moment and soak it all in.

- Melanie, Thailand

Nothing ruins a vacation like being unable to charge your electronic devices. So make sure to carry a power-cord organizer with you! Cocoon Innovations’ GRID-IT! pouches can accommodate any sort of cord or charger, making them a convenient choice, and they’re remarkably slim.

- Loren, United States

When traveling, don’t forget to take the road less traveled once in awhile. Travel should get you outside your comfort zone so you can learn new things about yourself and who you truly are. Don’t be afraid to take some risks (within reason) and leave room for spontaneity.

- Liana, United States

My boyfriend Lee and I are big fans of overnight buses and trains because you can save the cost of accommodation and you won't waste one of your precious travel days getting somewhere. Just be sure to bring earplugs, an eye mask and a sarong to use as a blanket or pillow!

- Kelly, United Kingdom

Always check the seat pocket to be sure you don’t leave any important items on the plane. I once forgot my passport in the seat pocket, which I needed to get home. Thankfully, I was able to retrieve it. Lesson learned!